Brewed beverage appliance and method

Abstract

A beverage assembly includes a housing having a liquid reservoir, an inlet portion formed in the housing, a beverage container configured to be removably accommodated within the inlet portion and having a fracturable seal and containing a beverage ingredient of a first size, a grinding mechanism positioned within the housing and in fluid communication with the inlet portion, and a piercing assembly positioned within the housing, wherein the piercing assembly selectively pierces the fracturable seal thereby causing said beverage ingredient to enter the grinding mechanism. The grinding mechanism selectively transforms the beverage ingredient from the first size to a second size, the second size being smaller than the first size. The beverage assembly further includes a brewing area disposed beneath the grinding assembly and configured to removably accommodate the beverage container after the beverage container has been pierced by the piercing assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of brewing coffee, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a beverage container having a filter adjacent to a floor of said container, a plurality of whole coffee beans within said container above said filter, and a fracturable cover covering a top of said container and sealing said plurality of whole coffee beans within said container; 
 loading said beverage container into a hopper of a coffee appliance; 
 piercing said fracturable cover of said beverage container to remove said whole coffee beans from said beverage container and to transfer said whole coffee beans into said hopper; 
 removing said beverage container from said hopper and repositioning said beverage container in a brewing area within said appliance, said brewing area being configured to receive hot water; 
 grinding said whole coffee beans to produce coffee grounds; 
 transferring said coffee grounds to said beverage container positioned within said brewing area; and 
 passing said hot water through said coffee grounds and through said filter within said beverage container to produce brewed coffee. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of brewing coffee according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 controlling a shutter to a closed position to block a passageway from a grinding mechanism to said brewing area to prevent backflow during said infusing step. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of brewing coffee according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 controlling a shutter to an open position to enable said transfer of said coffee grounds to said brewing area. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of brewing coffee according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 directing a flow of steam to said brewing area to purge said beverage container of liquid. 
 
     
     
       5. A method of brewing coffee, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a beverage container having a filter adjacent to a floor of said container, a plurality of whole coffee beans within said container above said filter, and a fracturable cover covering a top of said container and sealing said plurality of whole coffee beans within said container; 
 loading said beverage container into a hopper of a coffee appliance; 
 piercing said fracturable cover of said beverage container utilizing a piercing mechanism of said coffee appliance and transferring said coffee beans from said beverage container to said hopper; 
 inverting said beverage container and repositioning said beverage container from said hopper to a brewing area of said appliance, said brewing area being configured to receive hot water; 
 grinding said plurality of whole coffee beans to produce coffee grounds; 
 transferring said coffee grounds to said beverage container in said brewing area; and 
 passing said hot water through said coffee grounds and through said filter within said beverage container to produce brewed coffee.